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A Guide to Assessing College Readiness

This guide is designed as a first step in helping students understand the complex sets of skills, abilities and practices associated with five foundation areas. Scores obtained using this guide provide an opportunity for discussion; they are not intended to predict or limit a student’s potential, or provide a diagnosis. At the end of the questions, you will find a brief discussion about each of the five foundations and steps a student can take to improve in that area, based on Landmark College’s nearly quarter-century of experience focusing exclusively on educating students with learning disabilities and AD/HD.
HOW TO SCORE THE GUIDE
• Transfer the total for each foundation area into the spaces provided below. (Students may have significant strengths in some foundation areas, yet still struggle in one or more.)
• These totals together and record that number in the box at the bottom for “Total number of questions marked yes.”
• Multiply the total number of answers marked “yes” by four (4) to get the foundation percentile.
UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS
This guide is intended for use as a starting point for discussion. Understanding the areas where a student might struggle can help determine the appropriate supports. Scores developed through the questionnaire should provide a good sense of the various challenges the student faces.
For each Foundation Area, there is a brief definition followed by an explanation of implications associated with the score. These scoring implications for each Foundation Area are considered more important and informative than the overall percentile.
However, scoring 80 percent or higher suggests a student is likely to succeed independently in a traditional college environment. Scoring below 50 percent suggests a student is likely to struggle in a traditional college setting. For these students, the kind of specialized strategies and skills-building offered at Landmark College may be beneficial before pursuing a traditional college experience.

Group 1

For each of the foundation areas, you will find five questions. If your college-bound son or daughter answers 'yes,' mark the 'yes' box adjacent to the question with a check (√). Count checks marked in the 'yes' boxes in each foundation area and record the number in the box marked 'total.'

Question 1a

Short answer
Can you read up to 200 pages in a week?

Question 1b

Short answer
Do you have a system for taking notes?

Question 1c

Short answer
Can you write a paper of 10 or more organized pages that refers to two or more sources?

Question 1d

Short answer
Do you have a system for preparing for tests and exams?

Question 1e

Short answer
Can you clearly summarize a college-level reading assignment?

Question 2a

Short answer
Can you define and describe your diagnosis of a learning disability?

Question 2b

Short answer
Have you read your psychoeducational testing?

Question 2c

Short answer
Do you know your academic strengths?

Question 2d

Short answer
Do you know which academic tasks give you the most difficulty?

Question 2e

Short answer
Can you identify the academic supports you need to be successful?

Question 3a

Short answer
Do you know your legal rights as a student with a learning disability or AD/HD?

Question 3b

Short answer
When you run into difficulty, do you ask for help?

Question 3c

Short answer
Do you schedule your own appointments with doctors, advisors and counselors?

Question 3d

Short answer
Do you have access to your psychoeducational testing?

Question 3e

Short answer
If a school or college refused to provide you with an appropriate accommodation, would you contest the decision?

Question 4a

Short answer
Do you have a system for keeping track of your projects, books and papers?

Question 4b

Short answer
Do you have a system for scheduling and managing your time?

Question 4c

Short answer
Are you able to ignore difficulties and focus on the task at hand?

Question 4d

Short answer
Are you able to complete all the steps of a project in a timely manner?

Question 4e

Short answer
Do you have a strategy for completing tasks that you find boring?

Question 5a

Short answer
Do you have an academic subject that you find interesting?

Question 5b

Short answer
Do you know what you want to get out of your first year of college?

Question 5c

Short answer
Do you know that you can succeed?

Question 5d

Short answer
When you think about what you have to do in college are you excited?

Question 5e

Short answer
Can you imagine your life in 10 years?

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